Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4931, the "Presidential
Transition Act of 2000." This Act amends the Presidential Transition
Act of 1963, which was enacted to promote the orderly transfer of power
when general elections result in a change in the Presidency. Before
1963, there was no formal provision for such transfer of power, nor
were there any Federal funds available to pay for the expenses of the
transition. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 authorized the use
of Federal funds for transition activities and charged the General
Services Administration (GSA) with providing, upon request, office
space and a variety of services to the President-elect.

This Act will further improve the process by which the United
States changes Presidential Administrations. It authorizes the GSA to
develop and deliver orientation activities for key prospective
Presidential appointees. To ensure coordination between the parties
involved in this process, GSA should consult with the Office of
Personnel Management and the White House Office of Presidential
Personnel in the development of these programs. In addition, this Act
authorizes the GSA to consult with Presidential candidates prior to the
general election, so that they can develop a plan for computer and
communications systems that will support the transition between the
election and the inauguration.

This Act also requires the GSA, in consultation with the National
Archives and Records Administration, to develop a transition directory.
The directory will draw upon the existing body of information that
describes the organization and inter-relationships of the executive
branch, as well as the authorities and functions of the various
departments and agencies. It will serve as a valuable "one-stop
shopping" guide to Presidential appointees as they begin to carry out
their various responsibilities. The Office of Personnel Management and
the White House Office of Presidential Personnel should also be
consulted in the development of this directory.

In approving this measure, I note that section 3 of the Act
instructs the Office of Government Ethics to conduct a one-time study
and submit to two Congressional committees "a report on improvements to
the financial disclosure process for Presidential nominees," which
"shall include recommendations and legislative proposals." There is
good reason to believe that the financial disclosure process can be
improved through streamlining and elimination of duplication without
harming the positive intent of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
The Recommendations Clause of the Constitution (U.S. Const. Art. II,
Sec. 3), however, protects the President's power to decline to offer
any recommendation to the Congress. Accordingly, to avoid any
infringement on the President's constitutionally protected policy
making prerogatives, I will construe section 3 of this Act not to
extend to the submission of proposals or recommendations that the
President finds it unnecessary or inexpedient for the Administration to
present.